JAMAICA.-Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Messsrs. Edmondson, Bleby, and Inglis, dated Kingston Circuit. July 7th, 1838. WE are happy in being able jointly to address you under circumstances favourable to ourselves, and which, we have no doubt, will be gratifying to you. The Lord continues to gladden our hearts, and to encourage us in our labours in this Circuit, by delightful indications of his presence and blessing. From the beginning of the year we have rejoiced in witnessing a decided enlargement of our public congregations, and weekly additions to our Societies; and in the hallowed influence which has generally attended the ordinances of the sanctuary. We are happy to say, at the close of the second quarter, that this pleasing state of things still continues: a delightful spirit of peace and harmony pervades all our Societies in this city; all our services are well attended; a holy unction accompanies the ministration of the word of life: and in the goodly number brought into the fold of Christ, we have the best and strongest proofs that the Lord is with us. The interest which has been excited by the open-air preaching continues undiminished; and every Sabbath, except when the weather is unfavourable, we preach in the streets, to thousands, that Gospel which is able to make them wise unto salvation. We have also open-air preaching in different parts of the city, once or twice on other days of the week; and the attention with which we are listened to, by many who never go to the house of God, is most pleasing. A considerable number of instances have come to our knowledge in which the street-preaching has been blessed to the hearers, and led them to renounce the error of their ways. Our quarterly schedules show that we have a net increase of members in this Circuit, during the last three months of about two hundred, and that about two hundred and forty have been received on trial. Glory be to God, who overrules the devices of the wicked for his own glory, and causes the wrath of man to praise him! Unwearied efforts are made to promote the unhallowed cause of agitation and strife; but, thank God, without success. Consulting the wishes of our faithful people, as well as our own inclinations, we maintain unbroken silence towards the opposing party, and do not even go out of our way to contradict the shameless falsehoods which they send forth to the world. The miserable success which they desire can only be promoted by agitation; and we best defeat their object by pursuing the even tenor of our way, regarding them with perfect indifference, and giving our selves to the great work to which we are pledged, the work of saving souls. And this by the grace of God we intend to do; confiding in, and looking for, the blessing of Him, whose we are, and whom we serve. It may not, however, be amiss for us here to observe to you, that whatever statements, respecting their success in Jamaica, inay be put forth by that party, they are to be received with extreme caution. Only last week an advertisement appeared in one of the island newspapers, stating that the Members of our Society, in Kingston, are going over to the Association, as they call themselves, at an average of nearly twenty per week. The state of our schedule, as abovementioned, will show you that instead of this being the case, we have been receiving persons into Society in nearly that proportion. We mention this only to show you to what they can stoop to support their unworthy cause, and that you may know how to appreciate their statements, should any of them come under your ob servation. Last week we had a tea-meeting in the Parade Chapel, for the purpose of bringing the subject of education more fully before our people. Five hundred of our friends took tea together; and afterwards, others were admitted till the Chapel was crowded, and great numbers had to go away who could not get in. Our friend, Mr. Taylor, took the chair, and several of the Preachers addressed the Meeting. A powerful interest was excited; and we believe the happy effects of this Meeting will hereafter appear, both in our Sabbath and week-day schools. We are still kept back from commencing the new Parade Chapel, partly by the non-completion of the School house, and partly by the Architect, who has frequently disappointed us with the plan aud specifications. He is pledged, however, to give it us next week, but it will not be possible to commence the Chapel till after the first of August; as things will probably be too unsettled for a little while to allow us to do any thing effectual. We are looking forward to the approaching first of August with much interest. The island Legislature has passed the Act for the abolition of the apprenticeship on that day; and the Governor has issued a proclamation for all places of worship to be opened, and the day to be observed as a day of thanksgiving. On several properties the apprentices have already been made free, and are doing well; nor do we anticipate any thing like confu sion when all shall pass into unrestricted liberty. It will be a day long to be remembered; and we are making arrangements to celebrate it with services suitable to the occasion, and which we hope to make interesting as well as profitable. It is a pleasing reflection to us that the body to which we have the honour to belong, has been, under divine Providence, large. ly instrumental in bringing about an event which will, we hope, be to this coun try the dawn of a new era of unexampled prosperity and true piety. May that body still be honoured by the great Head of the Church as a powerful instrument of good, till every thing contrary to the spirit of the Gospel shall be destroyed, and the world shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God ! NEVIS.-Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Robert Hawkins, dated July 12th, 1838. I TAKE up my pen to give you a short account of the recent Missionary Anniversary held in this island. It was my intention not to have written until after the glorious first of August, when the day of entire freedom will burst upon our Negroes, but as the Meetings have proved somewhat of an interesting and encouraging nature, I think a few particulars will not prove altogether unaccept, able. Preparatory sermons were preached on Sunday, the 8th, at Gingerland and Newcastle. The collections were all good, compared with the receipts for the past year. On the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings, according to announcement, we held the Annual Meetings. That in Charles Town was held on Monday. The chair was taken by the Honourable George Webbe, the Chief Justice of the island. That gentleman opened the business of the Meeting with a speech replete with sentiments of the highest approbation of the Wesleyan Missions generally, and of those in Nevis particularly. The congregation did not fill the chapel which will accommodate about one thousand persons, and the cause of this was the very unfavourable weather. It rained repeatedly before the time of meeting; and it is well known to all acquainted with the West Indies that such weather causes invariably a thin attendance. In the course of the Meeting it was my pleasure to introduce on the platform a little Indian basket filled with precious metals. In proposing a question to two or three ladies before the Meeting took place, respecting the above-named basket, I was told that it is called generally a ،، hughmat." Changing the name a little, I introduced it to His Honour and the respectable audience as а ،، huge-matfor I can assure you it rather heavy, as you will conclude when the budget is disclosed. I shall introduce them to your notice with notes explanatory just as they were presented to the honourable Chairman by myself, ter : was acting in the capacity of Treasurer of this Collected by Mr. Coffy Tolin, Mrs. C. Hamilton Misses Ferrier ....... Mrs. Anjelizique Smith...... Total .... £ s. d. 0 12 0 1 16 0 200 2 2 4 4 5 9 3 6 15 0 10 15 6 23 17 0 N. B. In the large sum named above, After sermons in town ......... Mr. P. T. H.. Friend to Wesleyan Missions.. 13600477 4 30 8 1 2 5 1 7 0 1 090 £ 19 17 6 The above sums thrown together, make a sum total of £77. 8s 9d., the whole of which formed the contents of my little Indian basket, in hard cash, consisting of gold, silver, and copper. To the above sums we have to add the amount of the collection at the Meeting, which amounted to £28; which will make the whole amount, as far as the town Sta tion are concerned to the present time, £105. 8s. 9d. There are several annual subscriptions to come in, which we hope will swell the amount considerably before the District-Meeting. The town Meeting was attended by many respectable gentlemen. One Member of the Assembly addressed the audience in a pleasing and neat speech. A young gentleman also addressed the Meeting, who is acting as Secretary to the President, in a pious and zealous manner, setting before the congregation that the Nevitians are actually living in the enjoyment of the luxuries of Christianity, while millions are dying through want of the bread of life; and from these premises inferring justly that it is the duty of all and each to contribute to the cause of Missions, which is the cause of the great Jehovah. At this Meeting we were also favoured with the valuable assistance of the Rev. Messrs. Wrigglesworth and Pearson, from St. Christopher's. I am happy to inform you that the Meeting solemnly engaged not only to continue, but to increase their subscriptions; so we may do much greater things, and I hope as we may that we shall do far greater. On the Tuesday we journeyed to the Gingerland part of the Circuit, where we had an interesting Meeting. His Honour the Chief Justice kindly presided on this occasion. The chapel was well attended, and the presence of God was powerfully realized while we were together. proceeds of the Gingerland Anniversary are as follows:Collections at Sermons Ditto at Meeting 9 0 30 7 The 0 0 Collected by Collectors, &c... 29 8 5 Or about £31. 3s. Od. On the Wednesday morning we prepared for Newcastle; after taking an early dinner we rode over in a very hot sun, and arrived about 6 P. M. The peo ple began to assemble about dusk, and we then opened our Meeting, and proceeded to business. I am glad to say that the people in this part of the Circuit have kept in advance of Gingerland. There is something pleasing, laudable, and profitable in jealousy like this. I am of opinion that our good friends in Gingerland the next year will make a great effort to surpass the good friends at Newcastle. The total sum collected at Newcastle was about £33; and in this place, as well as at Gingerland, the people have solemnly engaged to continue and increase their subscriptions and exertions. Thus the whole amount raised up to this day, in the space of four months, amounts to the noble sum of £169. 11s. 9d.; which is con siderably in advance on the past year, and it must be borne in mind that we have received a few subscriptions, and therefore when we close the accounts we hope we shall reach the sum of £200. I hope this will cheer you, and convince you that our respectable inhabitants are not indifferent to our Mission here. There are enemies, but they are very few compared with our friends. We pray, and I am sure that you will pray, that our people may be more blessed in their basket and store. The appeal in behalf of the Fejees was not in vain. Several after they heard it, although they had given before, said they would give again, and they did so. There is at this time a good feeling respecting the extension of Our Missions. Our people would do more if they could, but they are comparatively poor. I think I may safely say that about one half of the above sums were contributed by the Negroes. May God bless them, and give them more plentifully of good things, and dispose them to give more abundantly for this great and glorious cause! All circum. stances taken into view, known as they are to myself, I hesitate not in declaring that the above sums speak volumes in favour of the poor little island of Nevis. I think she had the glory of being at the head of all the stations in this District at the last District Meeting, and I hope she will be found there at the next, and year after year maintain her pre-eminence. The people were asked if they would wish to lose their Missionaries, and if they would stop the supplies, and there was one simultaneous burst, "No! No!" "Onward!" is our motto, fathers, and onward we must and will go. The world is before us, and that world is the Mission field, whether it be found in immense continents or broken up into small islands; and we cannot rest until the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our God as his conquering Son and our Saviour. I will thank you to send us Missionary boxes for the estates, and Collectors' books for the Ladies. I am sure if you could see them, you would thank them for their noble exertions; and if you could understand fully their self-denying efforts, and the painful rebuffs which some have met with, you would love them for their work's sake. We are anxiously waiting for August 1st. We are on that day to have a Silver collection in all our Chapels to pay off the debt on the same. I wish you could see what we shall see, and hear what we shall hear. May God give us wisdom, light, and power; and may many on that day receive, in connexion with temporal freedom, that which is spirltual; and remain in the enjoyment of both until their souls shall be unclothed of mortality, and rise triumphantly to enjoy that which will be everlasting! Amen and Amen. Extract of a Letter from Mr. Samuel Hunkin, dated Gingerland, June 24th, 1838. NOT having been accustomed to the practice of drawing out Reports, I feel diffidence in attempting this, and trust you will overlook any imperfections, whether in the form or execution. It would be truly gratifying to give such an account of this School as my heart desires. I should like to have it in my power to say that all the children are not only able to read the Holy Scriptures, which alone are able to make them wise unto salvation, but also desirous of serving God. It would be a pleasure to state that they had forsaken the service of sin, and become servants of the Most High. But although this is not the case to the degree I wish, yet it cannot be denied that good effects have been produced. The minds of the children in a measure are enlightened, the seeds of truth are sown, and I doubt not, that in due time, the fruit will be brought forth. The demoralizing effects of slavery are very evident, even in the minds of the children; the parents of whom chiefly have been, and still are, in bondage; and ignorance, its inseparable companion, has so enfeebled the mind as to make it exceedingly difficult to put forth its powers, and exercise it on any subj ct. Six months have now elapsed since I took charge of this School, during which I have laboured to the utmost of my power to improve it. The state of the School, in point of numbers and pecuniary resources, is much improved. The moral habits and intellectual powers of the children, a little. God grant it may in crease! We have had an increase, the last quarter, of scholars, and contributions from their parents, (the latter amounting to six dollars per month,) which I hope will continue, and is only an earnest of what will be done hereafter. Our number now on the book and class lists, amounts to 141 boys and 67 girls: total, 208. The average attendance, 150. It is a difficult matter to find their ages; not one in fifty of either parents or children who are able to tell. I should suppose they are all between the ages of five and fifteen. Forty boys and fifteen girls are able to read in the New Testament, some tolerably well, others indifferently. Fifty boys and eighteen girls read in selections from Scripture of words of one syllable only, varying in length from two to five or six letters. The remainder are engaged either in learning the alphabet or words of two or three letters. Fourteen boys and eight girls write on copies. Twenty-five boys and ten girls on slates. Some of these are improving, and bid fair for writing a good hand. Ten boys and eight girls form two ciphering classes, and are now going through the simple rules. Occasionally I call these together, exercise them in Mental Arithmetic, endeavour to excite in them a spirit of emulation, as to who shall answer best, and sometimes get a ready solution to the question. Patience I find to be a necessary grace, and am often called to let it "have its perfect work." Hope also is much needed to encourage me to proceed in the work I have undertaken, and I look forward to the dawn of a brighter day, when all the latent energies of these children of Adam shall be put forth, and they will assume a different character, evidencing by their conduct, (as light arises in their minds) to those around, that they know how to appreciate the blessings of a Christian education, and that they have learned how to live, so as to secure respect here, and heaven itself hereafter. THE following are a few particulars, recently received from the West Indies. the anticipated emancipation. ANTIGUA. OUR chapel is rising. We have begun the last row of windows, and fully expect to open it in January or February. The amount of our subscriptions, tea-meeting, bazaars, &c., actually received, is £1,317 sterling. So hath God extracted from letters They relate chiefly to prospered us; blessed be his name!Rev. James Cox, June 29th, 1838. TORTOLA. I am glad to inform you that the Legislature of this island has enacted a law to abolish the apprenticeship system, on the 1st of August next. During the agitation of the question, no undue excitement prevailed here among the appren tices. Good order has prevailed every where through the island. I have not heard of a single complaint. Insubordination and tumultuous proceedings are unknown here. The apprentices under the spiritual care of your Missionaries have hitherto quietly and peaceably submitted to their circumstances; and as the apprenticeship system is about to terminate in this island, we have no reason to fear that their future conduct will be in any way disorderly. I may safely say, that our societies here are as quiet, well disposed, and willing to work for proper and reasonable wages, as the societies in any part of England. This is saying much, but it is perfectly correct. We shall still endeavour, by the blessing of God, not only to preserve them in quietness and peace, but to promote their spiritual and everlasting interests. Many of them are truly pious, and walk worthy of the gospel; and we hope and pray that the number of such may be greatly increased.— Rev. Geo. Crofts, Road Town, May 28th, 1838. ST. VINCENT.-A few particulars respecting the death of Mary Richardson, (an intelligent free black woman,) one of our Leaders upon Calder estate, will not, I trust, be uninteresting. She was one of the early fruits of Missionary labour in this island. She was brought under serious impressions under the ministry of the Rev. Matthew Lumb. The circumstances of his imprisonment for preaching the Gospel, with the exhortations he delivered through the iron gratings of his cell, wrought powerfully upon her mind. Upon the arrival of the Rev. Messrs. Owens and Alexander, in the year 1794, who came to gather the dispersed sheep which had been scattered by the hand of persecution, she united herself to the people of God. In her last illness, her peace flowed as a river, and her prospects were delightfully clear into another world. Upon my asking her the state of her mind, she replied, "I no fight now; all is peace. Me sweet Jesus, he very precious; he pardon all my sin; he take me to heaven." Upon asking if she wanted for any thing to make her more comfortable, she said, "O no; but more of me sweet Jesus! I bless the Lord for ever sending his Minister to tell me poor dark sinner the way to heaven. He now make me happy!" At another time she said, "My dear Minister, Father bless you. I prayed Father for send a Minister to this property, and he send you. You found me dark I now die, but we meet in heaven." My last interview was truly interesting. She expressed her strong confidence in the Lord, by saying, Jesus was very sweet; she had no fear of dying; that she stood upon the Rock, and that all her trust was in Christ for salvation! In this happy state of mind, she entered into the joy of her Lord.--Rev. John Lee, Calder, May 1st, 1838. We are in a state of perfect tranquillity among the Negro population: they are labouring in quietness and peace; and I apprehend no disturbance more than might be anticipated on the breaking of their bonds asunder, and their introduction into a state of freedom. You will learn, from what I have written, that the apprenticeship ceases here on the 1st of August. If all be well, our chapels will be open for religious service on that day, and we shall not fail to inculcate obedience as the duty of servants, and a religious regard to good order and submission to the powers that be. You shall have all particulars without delay, and strictly correct. I have no fear whatever but all will be well. Rev. John Cullingford, Biabou, St. Vincent, May 25th, 1838. I GRENADA. The authorities here have agreed for ENTIRE FREEDOM on the 1st of August next. I hope to see the longwished-for day before I am compelled by want of health to quit the Mission-field; trust to see SLAVERY DIE THE DEATH. I had a long and free conversation with His Excellency the Governor. He intimated that he should issue a Proclamation for the first of next August to be a day of general thanksgiving. I hope to have a glorious day of good, if I am spared to see it. I remember August, 1834, in St. Vincent, that was good; but I trust the coming day will be better!-Rev. George Beard, May 30th, 1838. TRINIDAD. The yellow fever is raging in this Island, and carrying many persons very suddenly to their great account. Pray for us that in the midst of sickness and death we may fearlessly and faithfully perform every duty, and be prepared either for life or death.-Rev. George Ranyell, June 11th, 1838. BARBADOES.-We are to have a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God on account of the abolition of the apprenticeship on the 1st of August, and we are much encouraged to anticipate peace and religious joy. There is at present a good feeling both on the side of the planters and the apprentices so far as I can generally observe.-Rev. Joseph Biggs, Bridge-town, June 7th, 1838. |